System and method of connecting a computer to a peripheral of another computer

ABSTRACT

A system and method of connecting a computer to a peripheral of another computer. An example system includes a processor connected to a network and to the one and the other computers through the network. The processor executes web service software which establishes a discovery service for receiving a peripheral connection request from application software of the one computer and peripheral management software which receives information from the other computer through the web service software about the peripherals of the other computer. In addition, the peripheral management software logically associates the peripherals and the other computer with a peripheral station, receives the peripheral connection request from the application software, maps the one computer to a requested peripheral of the peripheral station, and sends information to the application software through the web service software to facilitate connection by the application software to the requested peripheral of the peripheral station through the other computer.

BACKGROUND

Computer systems typically include one or more processors, memory,program and data storage, a display, and other circuitry for connectingto peripherals, such as a keyboard or other input device.

In some environments, such as retail point-of-sale (POS) environments,equipping each POS terminal with a set of peripherals is expensive andcauses each POS terminal to have a large footprint in a store.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method ofconnecting computers to a common set of remote peripherals.

SUMMARY

A system and method of connecting a computer to a peripheral of anothercomputer is provided.

An example system includes a processor connected to a network and tofirst and second computers through the network. The first computerexecutes application software and the second computer includes one ormore peripherals organized with the second computer as a peripheralstation. The processor executes web service software which establishes adiscovery service for receiving a peripheral connection request from theapplication software, and peripheral management software which receivesinformation from the second computer through the web service softwareabout the peripherals and the second computer, logically associates theperipherals and the second computer with a peripheral station, receivesthe peripheral connection request from the application software, mapsthe first computer to a requested peripheral of the peripheral station,and sends information to the application software through the webservice software to facilitate connection by the application software tothe requested peripheral of the peripheral station through the secondcomputer.

An example method of connecting a computer to a peripheral of anothercomputer includes determining that the peripheral is available for use,receiving a request from the computer through a web service to connectto the peripheral, mapping the peripheral to the computer, and sendinginformation to the computer through the web service to facilitateconnection by the computer to the peripheral through the other computer.

An example method of connecting application software of a first computerto one or more peripherals of a second computer at a peripheral stationincludes receiving information from the second computer through webservice software identifying the second computer, the peripheralsincluding peripheral type information, and the statuses of theperipherals including whether the peripherals are available for use ornot available for use, logically associating the peripherals and thesecond computer with the peripheral station including the peripheraltype information, receiving a request to connect to a type of peripheralfrom the application software, including information about the firstcomputer, through the web service software, determining that theperipheral station has the type of peripheral and that the type ofperipheral is available for use, mapping one peripheral of the type ofperipheral to the first computer, and sending information to theapplication software through the web service software to facilitateconnection by the application software to the one peripheral through thesecond computer.

Peripheral control software of the peripheral station provides a list ofperipherals. information about the peripherals may be in a web pageassociated with a web service of the peripheral station. The peripheralmanagement software may receive a uniform resource locator to the webpage from the peripheral station. To facilitate a connection between theapplication software of the first computer and the peripheral of theperipheral station, the peripheral management software may provide theuniform resource locator of a web service for the peripheral to theapplication software

The peripheral management software manages release of peripherals fromthe application software, for example, when the application software nolonger requires use of the peripheral, when the first computer goesoffline, or when the second computer and/or a connected peripheral goesoffline. The peripheral management software also manages connection toother peripherals, for example, at other peripheral stations followingrelease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the example system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another example system.

FIG. 4 illustrates example configuration data mapping computers toperipherals.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example screen for monitoring computers andperipheral connections to the computers.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of connecting a computerto a peripheral.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example system includes computer 18connected by network 60 to computer 14 and one or more peripherals 16,and to computer 12.

Computer 12 includes one or more processors, memory, and program anddata storage. Computer 12 may execute an operating system, such as aMicrosoft, Google, Apple, or Linux operating system. Computer 12 furtherincludes network circuitry for connecting to network 60, via wire and/orwireless, and other circuitry for connecting to one or more peripherals,such as an input device and display (e.g., a touch overlay to thedisplay). For example, computer 12 may include Universal Serial Bus(USB) circuitry and/or Bluetooth standard circuitry.

Computer 12 may include, but not be limited to, a personal computer, aportable computer, or a mobile computing/communication device, such as asmart phone, tablet, or personal digital assistant. Since computer 12shares peripherals 16 coupled to computer 14, computer 12 may be used inenvironments requiring a computing solution with a smaller footprintthan a computer with peripherals 16. Sharing of peripherals 16 may alsoprovide cost advantages. For example, one or more computers 12 may beused in a retail point-of-sale (POS) environment.

Computer 12 executes other computer software that may be stored in acomputer readable medium. For example, computer 12 executes applicationsoftware 20 and World Wide Web (web) service software 22.

Application software 20 performs one or more functions which may requireuse of peripherals 16. For example, application software 20 may includePOS transaction software that requires use of a printer to print areceipt. Application software 20 can be written in any softwarelanguage.

Application software 20 connects to peripherals 16 through web servicesoftware 22. Application 20 may use configuration data 26 to identifyperipherals that are locally connected to computer 12, for example,directly connected to a USB port of computer 12, from peripherals 16,which are remotely accessible through a network connection to computer14. Configuration data 26 may also include settings governing when thelocal and remote peripherals should be used.

If configuration data 26 includes a remote peripheral 16, applicationsoftware 20 sends a request to peripheral station manager 40 at computer18. Peripheral manager software 40 sends a message to applicationsoftware 20 through web service software 24 and 42 with informationidentifying computer 14 and peripheral 16.

Web service software 22 facilitates communication of data betweenapplication software 20 and other applications on other computers,including computer 14. For example, web service software 22 may includeone or more standard web services 24. In addition, web service software22 may include web service support software, such as application serversoftware for hosting the web service 24, and Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP) or web server software for providing HTTP protocol messagesupport.

Web service 24 may include an Extensible Markup Language (XML) documentin a Web Services Description Language (WSDL) describing operations,messages, bindings, and a location or address at which web service 24may be called. Web service 24 may communicate using open protocols, suchas Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) over HTTP.

Web service 24 is tailored to meet the interoperability requirements ofapplication software 20. For example, when application software 20 callsweb service application 24 and requests use one or more of peripherals16, web service 24 communicates with computer 14 using XML messages toestablish a connection between application software 20 and peripherals16. The web service of computer 14 supports WSDL, which has knownmethods for controlling peripherals 16.

Computer 14 includes one or more processors, memory, and program anddata storage. Computer 14 may execute an operating system, such as aMicrosoft, Google, Linux, or Apple operating system. Computer 14 mayexecute other computer software that may be stored in a computerreadable medium, such as a memory. Computer 14 may include networkcircuitry for connecting to network 60, via wire and/or wireless, andcircuitry for connecting to peripherals 16, such as network, USB and/orBluetooth standard circuitry.

With reference to FIG. 2, computer 14 and peripherals 16 may form aperipheral station 50. One or more peripheral stations 50 areenvisioned, depending upon environment. For example, in a retail POSenvironment, any of a plurality of POS computers 12 may connect to anyof a plurality of peripheral stations 50. Further, any of a plurality ofmobile computers 12 may connect to any of plurality of peripheralstations 50 via wireless networking.

Example peripheral station 50 may include computer 14 and peripheralsincluding, but not limited to, printer 52 for printing receipts, scanner54 for reading barcode labels on products, personal identificationnumber (PIN) keypad or “PIN pad” for capturing PIN numbers during a cardtransaction, check reader 58 for reading customer checks, and cash(e.g., coin and currency) drawer 59.

Computer 14 may include an appliance primarily dedicated to couplingother computers, such as computer 12, to peripherals 16. As such,computer 14 may include a network interface with connections toperipherals 16.

Alternatively, computer 14 may have one or more other purposes besidesestablishing peripheral connections. As such, computer 14 may furtherinclude software and components necessary for its purpose.

For example, computer 14 may include graphics circuitry for connectingto a display and may couple to other peripherals, such an input device(e.g., a touch overlay to the display).

Computer 14 executes other computer software that may be stored in acomputer readable medium. For example, computer 14 executes peripheralcontrol software 30.

Peripheral control software 30 configures peripherals 16 and storesconfiguration settings in driver configuration data 34. Driver softwareor ‘drivers’ for peripherals 16 may be bundled with the operatingsystem. For this purpose, peripheral control software 30 may use adriver configuration utility within the operating system to configureperipherals 16.

Alternatively, some drivers may be provided separately and installed inaccordance with instructions from manufacturers of peripherals 16. Forexample, in a retail store environment, the drivers for peripherals 16may include Object Linking and Embedding for Retail POS (OPOS) drivers.For this purpose, peripheral control software 30 may use an OPOS driverconfiguration utility to configure peripherals 16 based upon settings inconfiguration data 34.

Configuration data 34 contains a list of peripherals 16 listed aslocally connected to computer 14 and may include settings governing whenperipherals 16 should be used. If configuration data 26 indicates that aperipheral is an OPOS peripheral, configuration data 34 may indicate anyOPOS software, such as OPOS service objects, that are needed to assistin controlling the OPOS peripheral.

Peripheral control software 30 maintains a list 36 of peripherals 16that are configured. Peripheral control software 30 includes onlyperipherals 16 that are online and working, i.e., not peripherals thatare powered off or malfunctioning. Peripheral control software 30additionally makes list 36 available to other applications and computersby periodically broadcasting messages identifying availability ofperipherals 16. For example, peripheral control software 30 may sendmessages with a peripheral station name. Peripheral control software 30may further include web server software for hosting a web pagecontaining list 36.

In an example embodiment, peripheral control software 30 may be writtenin C-Sharp, Visual Basic Script, Javascript, or other suitable language,and may be combined with hypertext markup language (HTML) or othersuitable web development language in a web page.

Associated with peripheral control software 30 is web service software32, which, like web service software 22, includes a standard web serviceand associated web service support software. Web service software 32facilitates communication of data between peripheral control software 30and other applications.

Computer 18 includes one or more processors, memory, and program anddata storage. Computer 18 may execute an operating system, such as aMicrosoft, Google, Linux, or Apple operating system. Computer 18 mayexecute other computer software that may be stored in a computerreadable medium, such as a memory. Computer 18 may include networkcircuitry for connecting to network 60, via wire and/or wireless, andcircuitry for connecting to peripherals 16, such as network, USB and/orBluetooth standard circuitry.

Computer 18 may primarily manage peripheral stations 50 and coupling ofother computers, such as computer 12, to peripheral stations 50. Assuch, computer 18 may include a server computer with a network interfacewith connections to network 60. Further, the functions of computer 14and computer 18 may be combined into a single computer system orperipheral connection appliance 70 connected to network 60 that isprimarily dedicated to coupling other computers 12, such as computer 12Athrough 12C, to peripherals 16 (FIG. 3).

Alternatively, computer 18 may have one or more other purposes besidesestablishing peripheral connections. As such, computer 18 may furtherinclude software and components necessary for its purpose.

For example, computer 18 may include graphics circuitry for connectingto a display and may couple to other peripherals, such an input device(e.g., a touch overlay to the display).

Computer 18 executes other computer software that may be stored in acomputer readable medium. For example, computer 18 executes peripheralmanager software 40 and web service software 42.

Web service software 42, like web service software 22, includes astandard web service and associated web service support software. Webservice software 42 facilitates communication of data between peripheralmanager software 40 and other applications. Web service software 42 actsas a discovery service for helping computers like computer 12 find andconnect to peripherals 16.

Peripheral manager software 40 receives the broadcast messages fromperipheral control software 30, obtains the name of the peripheralstation 50 from the message and determines the internet protocol (IP)address of computer 14 from the message. Peripheral manager software 40lists the peripheral stations 50 in configuration data 49 (FIG. 4).

Peripheral manager software 40 further obtains list 36 of configuredperipherals 16 from peripheral control software 30, maintains list 36 aslist 46 of active peripherals 16, regularly receives updated lists 36,and updates list 46 as peripherals 16 become available or unavailable.Peripheral manager software 40 may manage connections to peripherals 16of a plurality of computers 14.

Peripheral manager software 40 maintains a list 44 of computers 14 thathave peripherals 16 to share, establishes logical groups, and assignsperipherals 16 to the logical groups or device clusters. For example,peripheral manager software 40 may group all peripherals 16 associatedwith a first computer 14 into a first peripheral station or“PeripheralStation1”.

Peripheral manager software 40 further maintains a list 48 of computers12 requesting connections to peripherals 16 and manages connection andrelease of peripherals 16 in list 48, or groups of peripherals 16, fromcomputers in list 44. Peripheral manager software 40 may combine, in anycombination, lists 44, 46, and 48 into a mapping of computers 12 toperipherals 16 as configuration data 49 (FIG. 4).

In an example embodiment, peripheral control software 40 may be writtenin C-Sharp, Visual Basic Script, Javascript, or other suitable language,and may be combined with hypertext markup language (HTML) or othersuitable web development language in a web page.

Network 60 may include one which uses the transmission controlprotocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). Network 60 may include acombination of local area and wide area networks. Network 60 may includeany combination of wireless or wired networks. Network 60 may include acombination of private and public networks, including a globalcommunication network, also known as the Internet.

With reference to FIG. 4, example configuration data 49 is illustratedas XML data, which identifies computers 12 at different locationsthroughout a retail store. Example locations include an “Electronics”department, a “Jewelry” department, a Deli location or “DeliStation1”,and a back office or “BackOffice1”.

The XML data also maps computers 12 to computers 14 and theirperipherals 16. A first computer 14 and its peripherals 16 areassociated with a first peripheral station or “PeripheralStation1”, asecond computer 14 and its peripherals 16 are associated with a secondperipheral station or “PeripheralStation2”, a third computer 14 and itsperipherals 16 are associated with a third peripheral station or“PeripheralStation3”, and a fourth computer 14 and its peripherals 16are associated with a fourth peripheral station or “PeripheralStation4.”

Thus, in the example configuration, the POS computer 12 in theElectronics department is connected to PeripheralStation1 and itsperipherals 16, including a cash drawer, a scanner, a printer, a PINPad, and a check or magnetic ink character reader (MICR). The POScomputer 12 in the Jewelry department is connected to PeripheralStation2and its peripherals 16, including a cash drawer, a scanner, a printer, aPinPad, and a MICR. The POS computer 12 in the Deli is connected toPeripheralStation3 and its peripherals 16, including a scanner and aprinter. Finally, the back office computer 12 is connected toPeripheralStation4 and its peripherals 16, including a printer.

Peripheral manager software 40 automatically updates configuration data49 as peripherals 16 become active or go inactive and as computers 12request connections to peripherals 16.

With reference to FIG. 5, an example screen 80 from peripheral managersoftware 40 is illustrated. An operator may monitor connections ofcomputers 12 to peripheral stations 50 and the status of peripherals 16.

Screen 80 provides a list view of computers 12 at different locations orstations 86 throughout a retail store. For example, at the “Electronics”station, an employee tracked by number 108 is using an Apple iPad brandcomputer 12 tracked by number 42.

Screen 80 may include visual aids that quickly communicate the networkconnection status of computers 12 at stations 86, i.e., either ‘online’or ‘offline’. For example, screen 80 may include color markers 84adjacent each station. Green may indicate that the correspondingcomputer 12 is online, while yellow may indicate that the correspondingcomputer 12 is offline.

Screen 80 may include navigation features, such as expansion triangles82 associated with each station 86, for expanding the list view to showperipherals 16 connected to computers 12 at stations 86. For example,computer 12 at the Electronics station is connected toPeripheralStation1 and its peripherals 16, including a cash drawer, ascanner, a printer, a Pin Pad, and a MICR.

Screen 80 further includes status information 90 next to eachperipheral. For example, each of peripherals 16 includes a statusindicator that indicates that peripherals 16 are ‘online’, i.e., poweredon, initialized by peripheral control software 30, and available foruse.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the operation of peripheral manager software 40is described in detail.

In step 80, peripheral manager software 40 receives a message fromperipheral control software 30 through web service software 32 and 42with peripheral information. Peripheral manager software 40 mayperiodically receive such messages from peripheral control software 30as peripherals 16 become available or unavailable. For example,peripheral control software 30 may trigger an event to notify peripheralmanager software 40 if the status of any of peripherals 16 changes.

In an example embodiment, peripheral control software 30 identifiesperipherals 16 that are being used or “claimed” by application 20,peripherals 16 that are available for use ready to be claimed, orperipherals 16 that are unavailable and excluded from list 36.Peripheral manager software 40 uses this information to display thestatus of each peripheral as online or offline, and to show the overallstation status as yellow or green (FIG. 4).

Peripheral manager software 40 obtains list 36, and/or an updated list36, of configured peripherals 16 from peripheral control software 30through web service software 32 and 42. For example, peripheral managersoftware 40 may receive a URL to a web service of web service software32 for each peripheral 16 at peripheral station 50.

In step 82, peripheral manager software 40 adds information identifyingcomputer 14 to peripheral computer list 44, if computer 14 is notalready in list 44. For example, peripheral manager software 40 obtainsthe name of the personal station 50 containing computer 14 from themessage and the IP address of computer 14.

In step 84, peripheral manager software 40 stores list 36 as list 46 ofactive peripherals, and/or updates list 46 to reflect changes from apreviously received list 36.

In step 86, peripheral manager software 40 adds peripherals 16 tological groupings of peripherals 16 in configuration data 49, or updatesconfiguration data 49 to reflect changes from a previous list 46. Forexample, peripheral manager software 40 may group all peripherals 16associated with a first computer 14 into a first peripheral station 50or “PeripheralStation1”.

In step 88, peripheral manager software 40 receives a message fromapplication software 20 of computer 12 through web service software 24and 42 requesting a connection to a particular a type of peripheral 16,for example, a receipt printer.

In step 90, peripheral manager software 40 adds information identifyingcomputer 12 to client computer list 48, and/or updates list 48 toreflect changes in received identifying information.

In step 92, peripheral manager software 40 establishes a mapping inconfiguration data 49 of computer 12 to an active unclaimed peripheral16 of the type requested in a logical grouping in configuration data 49.For example, peripheral manager software 40 may map computer 12 to areceipt printer associated with PeripheralStation1.

In step 94, peripheral manager software 40 sends a message toapplication software 20 through web service software 24 and 42 withinformation identifying computer 14 and the mapped peripheral 16. Forexample, peripheral station manager 40 sends application 20 a URL forthe web services used to control each requested peripheral 16 in station50. Peripheral station manager 40 steps aside and allows application 20to communicate with peripherals 16 through web service software 32.Application software 20 uses the information to communicate withperipherals 16 through web service software 32.

In step 96, peripheral manager software 40 receives and monitorsmessages sent from computer 12 and computer 14 and releases theconnection when application software 20 no longer claims peripheral 16,or when computer 12, computer 14, or any mapped peripheral 16 gooffline.

If application software 20 no longer claims peripheral 16, peripheralmanager software 40 removes the corresponding mapping in configurationdata 49. Peripheral manager software 40 may send a message to peripheralcontrol software 30 releasing the connection.

If computer 12 goes offline, peripheral manager software 40 may try toreestablish communication with computer 12. If peripheral managersoftware 40 cannot reestablish communication after a predetermined timeperiod, peripheral manager software 40 removes computer 12 from clientcomputer list 48 and unmaps or removes the corresponding mapping inconfiguration data 49. Peripheral manager software 40 may send a messageto peripheral control software 30 releasing the connection.

If computer 14 goes offline, peripheral manager software 40 may try toreestablish communication with computer 14. After a predetermined timeperiod, peripheral manager software 40 releases computer 14 by removingcomputer 14 from peripheral computer list 44, removing peripherals 16from active peripheral list 46, and unmapping or removing thecorresponding mappings of peripherals 16 to computers 12 inconfiguration data 49. Peripheral manager software 40 may send a messageto computer 12 indicating that the connection to peripheral 16 is nolonger active.

If peripheral 16 goes offline, peripheral manager software 40 removesthe peripheral 16 from active peripheral list 46, and unmaps or removesany corresponding mapping of peripheral 16 to computer 12 inconfiguration data 49. Peripheral manager software 40 may map anotherperipheral 16 of the same type, such as another peripheral from anotherperipheral station, to computer 12 in configuration data 49. Peripheralmanager software 40 may send a message to computer 12 when theconnection to peripheral station 50 is no longer active.

Peripheral control software 30 may mark the mapped peripheral asunavailable.

Advantageously, the system and method of connecting computer 12 toperipherals 16 may provide cost and space savings, particularly inenvironments such as retail POS environments.

Although the present invention has been described with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations andmodifications of the present invention can be effected within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of connecting a computer to a peripheralof another computer comprising: determining that the peripheral isavailable for use; broadcasting over a network that the peripheral isavailable for use; receiving a request from the computer through a webservice to connect to the peripheral; mapping the peripheral to thecomputer; and sending information to the computer through the webservice to facilitate connection by the computer to the peripheralthrough the other computer.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining comprises: receiving a uniform resource locator to a webservice of the other computer for the peripheral.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein sending comprises: sending a uniform resource locator to aweb service of the other computer for the peripheral.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: associating the peripheral with a group ofperipherals as a peripheral station.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a message from the computer indicating that thecomputer no longer requires use of the peripheral; and releasing theperipheral from the computer.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: releasing the peripheral when the peripheral is no longeravailable for use.
 7. A method of connecting application software of afirst computer to one or more peripherals of a second computer at aperipheral station comprising: receiving information from the secondcomputer through web service software identifying the second computer,the peripherals including peripheral type information, and the statusesof the peripherals including whether the peripherals are available foruse or not available for use; logically associating the peripherals andthe second computer with the peripheral station including the peripheraltype information; broadcasting the availability of the peripherals overa network; receiving a request to connect to a type of peripheral fromthe application software, including information about the firstcomputer, through the web service software; determining that theperipheral station has the type of peripheral and that the type ofperipheral is available for use; mapping one peripheral of the type ofperipheral to the first computer; and sending information to theapplication software through the web service software to facilitateconnection by the application software to the one peripheral through thesecond computer.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving comprises:receiving a uniform resource locator to web services of the secondcomputer for the peripherals.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein sendingcomprises: sending a uniform resource locator to a web service of thesecond computer for the one peripheral.
 10. The method of claim 7,further comprising: receiving a message from the first computerindicating that the first computer no longer requires use of the oneperipheral; and unmapping the one peripheral from the first computer.11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving statusinformation from the second computer through the web service softwareindicating that the one peripheral is no longer available for use; andunmapping the one peripheral from the first computer.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: mapping a second peripheral of the type ofperipheral to the first computer; and sending information to theapplication software through the web service software to facilitateconnection by the application software to the second peripheral throughthe second computer.
 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:displaying a screen illustrating the logical grouping of peripheralswith the peripheral station and availability statuses of each of theperipherals.
 14. A peripheral management system for managing connectionof application software of a first computer to one or more peripheralsof a second computer of a peripheral station comprising: a processorconnected to a network and to the first and second computers through thenetwork, wherein the processor executes web service software whichestablishes a discovery service for receiving a peripheral connectionrequest from the application software in response to a broadcast overthe network that the peripherals are available for access, andperipheral management software which receives information from thesecond computer through the web service software about the peripheralsand the second computer, logically associates the peripherals and thesecond computer with the peripheral station, receives the peripheralconnection request from the application software, maps the firstcomputer to a requested peripheral of the peripheral station, and sendsinformation to the application software through the web service softwareto facilitate connection by the application software to the requestedperipheral of the peripheral station through the second computer. 15.The system of claim 14, further comprising: a display coupled to theprocessor; wherein the peripheral management software is also fordisplaying a screen on the display illustrating a logical grouping ofthe peripherals with the peripheral station and availability statuses ofeach of the peripherals.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein theinformation about the peripherals is in a web page associated with a webservice of the second computer, and wherein the peripheral managementsoftware receives a uniform resource locator to the web page from thesecond computer.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the information forconnecting to the requested peripheral is in a web page associated witha web service of the second computer, and wherein the peripheralmanagement software sends a uniform resource locator to the web page tothe application software.
 18. The system of claim 14, wherein theperipheral management software also receives a message from the firstcomputer indicating that the first computer no longer requires use ofthe requested peripheral and unmaps the requested peripheral from thefirst computer.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the peripheralmanagement software also receives a message from the second computerindicating that the requested peripheral is no longer available for useand unmaps the requested peripheral from the first computer.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the peripheral management software alsoreceives information from a third computer through the web servicesoftware about the third computer and peripherals of the third computer,logically associates the third computer and the peripherals of the thirdcomputer with another peripheral station, maps a replacement peripheralof the third computer of a type similar to the requested peripheral tothe first computer, and sends information to the application softwarethrough the web service software to facilitate connection by theapplication software to the replacement peripheral through the thirdcomputer.